30 June, 2016
With tourists making their annual pilgrimage to Ibiza clubs such as Space, Pacha and DC10, DJs enjoy god-like status on The White Isle. Come summertime, you're probably never more than a few feet away from one. But not all are created equal. Here we talk to some of the stars of the scene - including Richy Ahmed, Solomun, Nic Fanciulli, Jasper James and the Mambo Brothers - about their favourite island hotspots.
Richy Ahmed is the prototype of a new breed of British DJs who are cross-referencing genres like techno, disco, funk and hip-hop to create new sounds that are both addictive and impossible to define. He's been going to Ibiza for over 16 years and once told us it was his favourite place on Earth. He's now a resident at Paradise and playing at ElRow.
Yeah, I've seen it change just like anywhere does. Some good bits, some bad bits. As a lot of people say, it's got a lot more commercial but there are a loads of cool underground places and many island spots are the same. Ibiza has also been brought to a wider audience, which I think is a good thing.
Probably taking Tommy Lee to Amnesia... I'll leave the rest to your imagination!
Yes, why not!
Oh god... Getting on a plane having been up for five days on my first ever holiday there. I was going back to work as an IT engineer which was my first job after I graduated. Going back to that after your first two-week lads holiday in Ibiza was the absolute worst!
Richy Ahmed - Put Me In A Trance
Richy Ahmed - Kimalaya
Floorplan - Music
Senzala - Phase
Cuartero - Multiverso
I like Cala Llonga.
There's a spa called Hacienda which is miles away from everything- Eats Everything went there on his honeymoon.
Probably Benirras, that's a really good party... Or Las Salinas, or Talamanca. Ahh, there are loads - I can't choose!
The Fish Shack, everybody loves it there. It's chilled, simple, fresh and not too expensive. I normally stay around that area so I can pop in and get some nice fish, then sit and watch the sun go down. It's amazing.
The same place I'd go to escape. Hacienda for both! It's my favourite hotel and my favourite place to relax - the view is just next level. It's set in a cave and the rooms have got jacuzzis the size of a mini pool on your balcony.
DC10 for Paradise!
I'd just go to Benirras, chill on the beach and listen to all the alternative types of music.
If I'm hungover the greasy stuff generally makes me feel worse, so for something a bit healthier I'd go to Passion.
For any electronic music fans, Solomun is a man that needs no introduction. For the rest of you, Solomun is a world-famous DJ who is credited by Resident Advisor as "redefining European house music." While his Ibiza history isn't as long as some of his counterparts (he first visited in 2011) his residency at Pacha means it looks like him and the island have a long future together. Be sure to check out his album Solomun Selected Remixes 2009-2015, released 1 July on Dynamic Music.
Oh my... I was expecting that question! As I'm sure you can imagine I've experienced quite a few wild things on this island... I tend not to tell the wildest stories. But we do a lot of villa after parties, where anything can happen and anything does happen.
I only remember the good things. This makes life easier.
Of course. And around San An there are beautiful beaches and spots.
Whilk & Misky - Clap Your Hands (Solomun remix)
Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Sorry I'm Late (Pig & Dan remix)
Stimming - Alpe Lusia
Moderat - Eating Hooks - (Siriusmo remix)
The Game & 50 Cent - Hate It or Love It
Cala Conta because the sunset is amazing and the food at Sunset Ashram is great. Especially the mussels.
I can't tell you guys, sorry! It's really important to have an escape spot that nobody else knows about.
That is also complicated. Since 2015 it's not that easy to do beach parties in Ibiza. We did it last year with Diynamic at Beachouse and it was a really nice atmosphere. But in the end, the police shut down our party so we couldn't do the last two which was a shame.
The Fish Shack at Talamanca. It's a real fish shack on a cliff with amazing dorada and lamb chops. Or Can Pilot in San Rafael - we call it "the meat paradise" because that is exactly what it is.
I would go for Gran Hotel but a more budget option is El Hotel, directly opposite Pacha. If you want something a little more chilled and remote, Destino Ibizais the one.
Of course, I'm not at all objective when answering this question - I would strongly recommend my night at Pacha every Sunday, Solomun+1. Other cool nights and clubs are Cocoon on Mondays at Amnesia with Sven Väth, Circoloco also on the Mondays at DC10 and Marco Carola's Music On, which is every Friday at Amnesia.
This house and techno DJ is one of the UK's rising stars in the world of electronic music. Spinning at clubs in the UK and abroad, he came to Ibiza five years ago and hasn't looked back since, living there over the summer. This year you'll see him at island favourite DC10.
It seems to be getting busier every year. Also the crowd is getting younger - but then again, I'm getting older.
I can't tell you or I would probably end up in jail...
100% yes. Love a West End Warriors session.
Impulsion - The Trip (DJ Pierre remix)
Yo Yo Honey - Groove On
Papa Washington Trio - Calling All Dancers
Trevino - Black Cat
Makam - You Might Lose It (Kerri Chandler 623 remix)
Sa Caleta is one of my favourites. A small intimate beach with beautiful crystal clear water, it also has a great little restaurant which does the best seafood.
My bedroom - I put down the blackout blinds and lock the door.
Not too sure but we throw a cracking party at our apartment. It involves an iPod dock and a few lads.
Can Pilot in San Rafael. Amazing steak and reasonably priced.
The only hotel I've ever stayed in was in San An, right next to the egg statue. It was myself and Jackmaster on a budget around five years ago. There was no air con so we bought a cheap fan which blew hot air at us while we attempted to get some sleep.
DC10 is my favourite place to party on the island. I also have the privilege and honour of being asked to play at Circoloco this year!
No such thing.
Passion for a smoothie and some scrambled eggs.
There are few people who know Ibiza as well as The Mambo brothers. Christian and Alan Anadon were born and raised on the island and have seen some of the world's most famous DJs play at their family's famous sunset bar Cafe Mambo. The brothers now tour the world as a DJ duo, but still run the Ibiza establishment and legendary party hotspot.
We've seen the music change, the venues change - but the essence is still the same.
Going as a children to the nudist beach next to Cala Tarida. You can only imagine what we saw here in Ibiza back in the early 90s, all these free souls... It was a pretty wild time!
We don't have bad Ibiza memories! The worst thing that can happen here is that you miss your flight home… But for some that's not always such a bad thing either.
Definitely San Antonio! We have the best coastline, the world famous sunset bars and it's where so many people fall in love with the island for first time.
Barefoot In The Head - A Man Called Adam
808 State - Pacific State
Mambo Brothers - Momento
Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy
DJ Rolando- Jaguar
Cala Gracioneta. One of the hidden gems of the island just outside San Antonio.
Spanish omelette at Can Cosmi in Santa Inés.
Anywhere that Guy Gerber is playing!
Hostal La Torre. We love relaxing there from the sundown until late, drinking good Spanish red wine.
La Torre too! You have to check it out. It's like a taste of unspoilt Ibiza from the 70s.
Pacha, hands down still the sexiest club in the world.
Cocktails at Villa Mercedes listening Paco Fernandez and his Spanish guitar.
Bondi for the Australian-style breakfast. It's a great healthy way to start the day and get ourselves back on track.
Nic Fanciulli is a DJ, producer and label owner of Saved Records and remains one of "the UK's finest exports in electronic music." He's been going to Ibiza for over 20 years - on family holidays as a child and later playing B2B with Carl Cox. This year you'll see him at his residency We Are the Night at Pacha.
I think over the years the island has changed a lot, mainly in a more commercial sense of the word. But for me the essence of Ibiza is always still there. It never loses it's magic. Change isn't necessarily a bad thing and over the years I've learnt to embrace it. I've played pretty much every club on the island at one point or another - Pacha, Space, DC10, Ushuaia, Amnesia - and they're all better than ever.
Not many I can talk about! There have definitely been a lot of parties over the years...
My worst memory was back in 2006. Italy had won the World Cup the night before and James Zabiela and I had just played the Space terrace. We were on such a high. The next morning I left my bag alone in the hotel room for 30 minutes and when I came back everything was gone. I was right in the middle of mixing my Renaissance compilation, so I had to start that again. I lost all my music, all the album sketches, everything! It was a nightmare end a great trip.
I think San Antonio has a bit of a bad reputation, but there are actually some amazing places there. It's my favourite place to watch the sunset on the island and I have a lot of friends that live around the area. I used to use the Mambo studio (above Cafe Mambo) and made some music there that I'm really proud of, so certain people and places there will always have a special place in my heart.
Butch - At The Jungle (Saved Records)
Human Machine - 146 (Connaisseur)
Jamie XX (Feat. Romy) - SeeSaw (Nic Fanciulli Remix)
The Mole - If I Had a Nickel (Maybe Tomorrow)
Andrea Oliva - Vermona (White Label)
There are a few secret places I have, butI do love Es Torrent for a quiet lunch on the beach. It's becoming a bit more scene-y there now, but it's still a beautiful setting with amazing food.
Experimental Beach is amazing for drinks with friends.
For actual parties on the beach the best has always been Guy Gerber's RUMORS party. They're really clamping down on these now though. It's a shame as partying in open air was always what Ibiza was about.
Sa Capella for sure. You can get lost there for hours.
It depends. If I'm just coming into play, I always stay at Gran Hotel. But if I'm here spending a bit more time I love to stay at Atzaro. It's a bit further out, but such a nice place to spend time.
I guess I have to say We Are The Night, my new residency at Pacha. But I also love going around to all the other parties to see my friends.
At home! There's no such thing as a quiet night in Ibiza. Lunches turn into dinners which turn into nights out…
Wild Beets in Santa Gertrudis is great
